What a blessing it is to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with an American hero. This month, we are proud to share the story of Colonel Vincent A. Apruzzese Sr. He’s given us a glimpse into his 25-year military career and the amazing life he has shared with his wife and family. 

Colonel Apruzzese is a lively character! He is animated and charismatic and shares candidly about the love of his life, Sandra, his beautiful wife of 63 years. They raised a son, Vince JR, and a daughter, Debbie. They were blessed with five grandchildren and have one 2-year-old great-grandson, Wyatt.

The Colonel has lived a very full life. He tells stories with the best of them and enjoys the reactions he gets from anyone who wants to stick around and chat a bit with him. The Colonel reminisces with a twinkle in his eye and a smile that warms your heart. The best version of his life is told in his own words. Enjoy the memories, recollections, and maybe a few tall tales!

From the Colonel:

I commanded troops at the Platoon, Company, Battalion, and Brigade Levels, from 30 to 1500 soldiers at a time. I loved field training and working as a team. I served as an Army officer in the Military Police, Infantry, and Special Forces. I served active duty tours in the US, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, the Pentagon, and Vietnam. Throughout my career, I made 72 Parachute jumps. Once, I landed on my head and had no injuries (only kidding!).

My wife, Sandra, of 63 years, passed away two years ago. She was the heroine of our family. She raised our son and daughter and did the tough job of moving 18 times in 25 years. She was the love of my life and deserves all the credit. She was an angel with wings that made me look good. 

I was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1936. I was the oldest of seven kids. Every year, they had a parade on my birthday and came right by our house. We lived right on Broad St. in Plainville, CT. My mother would tell me the parade was in my honor, but I was 33 years old when she finally told me the truth! This is where my love for my country came from. 

All my life, I have dreamed of attending West Point. Our state senator selected me to attend, but my father was an old-school Italian and wanted me to stay home to work in a factory. My mother had other plans for me, so I ended up at Niagara University in upstate New York. I joined the ROTC.

Not long after enrolling, I got homesick and wanted to go home, so I hitchhiked home. It was the 1950s—nobody had any money; we just had a good time! My mom was so mad at me when I showed up at home! She wanted to know what in the world I was doing there. I just smiled at her and said, “Ma, I got laundry.” She sent me back to school after the weekend. I graduated from Niagara and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps. 

 

In September 1958, the Army sent me to active duty for two years. I completed Military Police Officer training at Camp Gordon, Georgia, where I met my beautiful wife, Sandra, in Augusta, Georgia. From there, I served in the Military Police at FT Meade, Md., beginning in January 1959.

Every payday, I would drive all night from Fort Meade to Augusta just to see her and then leave again on Sunday night to drive back. We were engaged within six months and married within a year. I could not ask for anybody better.

While serving at Ft. Meade, I was promoted to 1st Lt. and assigned a 1956 Chevy as a Duty Officer, complete with a driver and a .45 pistol. When I married, we had to live off-post, paying $105 monthly for a second-floor apartment just a mile from the base. I was paid $222.30 a month plus $85 for housing. I served as the duty officer from Friday night to Monday morning, overseeing patrols on post.

One night, Sandra called to say there was someone on the roof. I immediately ordered all four patrols off post to check on her. It turned out to be just a dog! Come Monday morning, I had to explain to the Major why I took all the patrols away. I told him it “never crossed my mind”; I just wanted to ensure Sandra was safe.

Before long, the Army offered me a regular Army commission, and Sandra encouraged me to take it. I then served at Ft. Benning in the Infantry and completed various Army schools. Next was a move to Fort Ord, California, to attend Spanish language school. It was 1965; we spent three years in the 8th Special Forces Group in Panama. Sandra wasn’t fond of it, but she persevered. After two years, she returned to Atlanta to visit family, telling me, “I really thought about not coming back.” I understood because Army life can be lonely when your spouse is never home. 

From Panama, I served on a combat tour in Vietnam from late 1967 through the end of 1968. Then, I went to the Pentagon and Army Schools, including Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. I was promoted to full Colonel in 1977.

I retired from the military in 1982 after 25 years of service and moved to Atlanta, where I worked for 16 years in corporate security at AT&T, thanks to a friend from NJ, a former Navy and FBI agent.

We moved 18 times in 25 years. I enjoyed being home, but Sandra insisted I needed a job. We settled in Edinburgh, and I started working at Bear’s Best to keep busy. I’ve been there for 22 years now, managing the schedule, and, remarkably, I haven’t paid for a round of golf in all that time! It’s the best job!

We asked Colonel Apruzzese if there was one thing he wanted everyone to know about him, and his response was genuine. “I just want to be known as a good father and husband. I could have done better, but I did try. I’ve always loved to help people who needed help. I hope I will do that for a few more years.” 

We do, too, Colonel.

**Sidebar***

Colonel Appruzzee is passionate about supporting fellow veterans. Join him as we honor our veterans at the Veterans Day Charity Classic on November 11 at Bears Best! Golf, dinner, and entertainment – all for a great cause. Sign up or donate today!